A study published in Radiology found that MRI can predict full or partial recovery of patients with acute spinal cord injuries by assessing MR images within 48 hours. The severity of MSCC, bleeding, and cord swelling are key indicators of a poor prognosis, while their absence indicates a good chance for neurological recovery.
Researchers are conducting a five-year Phase III clinical trial to examine the effectiveness of induced hypothermia as a therapy for brain swelling in children with traumatic brain injuries. The study aims to enroll 340 children and assess outcomes after one year, following cooling therapy.
Research in mice shows migraines can lead to brain damage, with areas of the brain experiencing oxygen shortage. The study emphasizes the importance of preventing migraines through avoiding triggers and using prescribed medications.
A UCLA study suggests that lactate may be a key fuel for the brain after traumatic injury, potentially replacing glucose. Researchers found that the brain takes up and utilizes lactate more than at any other time after injury, making it a faster and more efficient source of energy.
A study published at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center found that endoscopic brain surgery is effective in removing life-threatening tumors in children, with minimal complications and no neurological damage. The minimally invasive approach allows for faster recovery times and a shorter hospital stay.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine propose a new approach for brain-machine interfaces using undamaged nervous tissue to provide command signals to drive prosthetics. The system may one day enable people with spinal-cord injuries or limb loss to regain control over their devices.
Mayo Clinic researchers use advanced MRI to predict surgical success in rare sciatic notch dumbbell-shaped tumors. The 3-Tesla MRI system provides detailed images of tumor and nerve relationships, allowing for safe removal of tumors while protecting nerves.
Researchers discovered that stem cell activity decreases with age due to reduced division, not a lack of starting material. The finding offers new avenues for combating cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Barrow and Arizona State University will develop new hydrogels to stimulate spinal cord growth and treat brain tumors. The studies aim to improve treatment options for patients with malignant brain tumors and spinal cord injuries, building on the center's reputation as a top neuroscience hub.
A study by Dr. Brian Stemper and colleagues found that setting head restraints close to the back of the head can minimize injuries from whiplash. The researchers developed a computer model that shows increasing distances between the head restraint and the back of the head can lead to ligament stretch, making whiplash injury more likely.
A new case of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) linked to a blood transfusion has been confirmed in the UK. The patient developed symptoms six years after receiving a contaminated blood sample from a donor who later died from vCJD. Early diagnosis and monitoring are crucial for affected individuals.
A new study suggests that targeting tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) may help prevent optic-nerve damage in glaucoma patients. Researchers found that blocking TNF-alpha's action with an antibody prevented loss of oligodendrocytes and retinal ganglion cells when intraocular pressure was raised.
Researchers at Emory University's Winship Cancer Institute have identified a novel biomarker called 'soluble attractin' that is elevated in patients with malignant astrocytomas. This protein plays a key role in the migration and recurrence of brain tumors, making it a promising target for future therapeutic intervention.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have developed a potential new treatment for stroke using Activated Protein C, which has shown promise in reducing brain damage by 70 percent. The treatment aims to temper the side effects of current medication TPA and expand its 'window' beyond three hours.
A pioneering study has found that the tumor suppressor gene p53 plays a crucial role in regulating communication between tumor cells and their surrounding stroma. The study identified 111 secreted proteins, 39 of which were enhanced and 21 inhibited by wt-p53 expression.
Researchers found that internet-accessible computer activities improved cognition in patients with Alzheimer's disease, even after the disease had advanced. The study showed that tasks aimed at increasing or maintaining mental function have a place in treating Alzheimer's alongside pharmacotherapy.
A Phase 1 study of CERE-120, a gene therapy product, demonstrated significant symptom reduction in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, reducing UPDRS motor 'off' scores by approximately 40%. The treatment also showed promising results in improving 'on' time and reducing 'off' time.
Researchers found that zolmitriptan nasal spray was effective in treating cluster headaches, providing pain relief to 50% of patients. The medication's quick absorption and minimal side effects make it a potential first-line treatment option for acute cluster headaches.
A 10-year review of ATV-related injuries reveals serious neurological injuries, inpatient rehabilitation, spinal cord injuries, and fatalities among children under 16. Pediatric neurosurgeons recommend banning children from ATVs and implementing mandatory helmet laws, instruction programs, and restricting public use.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $2 million grant to Yale University for the purchase of a 7-Tesla human magnetic resonance imaging system. This high-end instrumentation will facilitate ultra-high resolution studies in various medical fields, including diabetes and epilepsy.
A new study found that neurosurgical treatment of severe anxiety disorders can be effective in relieving symptoms, but also carries a significant risk of side-effects such as apathy and epilepsy. The study monitored 51 patients for up to 23 years after undergoing capsulotomy, a procedure that involves severing nerve fibers in the brain.
The Pauletta and Denzel Washington Family Gifted Scholars Program in Neuroscience awards $2,500 monthly support to graduate researchers and $2,000 per month to undergraduate students. The program aims to train the next generation of life scientists and promote significant contributions in the sciences.
Researchers have discovered that astrocytes become activated when their whiskers are stimulated, sending signals to the brain. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that astrocytes don't communicate much and suggests they may be part of everyday brain function.
A novel approach to epilepsy surgery in young children with tuberous sclerosis has shown promising results, with 17 of 25 patients freed from seizures after a multi-stage brain operation. The procedure involves multiple surgeries to remove seizure-causing tissue, and may improve developmental outcomes for affected children.
Researchers develop a modified virus that targets telomerase-positive cancer cells, inducing autophagy to kill them. The treatment reduces tumor size and extends survival in mice with malignant glioma. Autophagy is a protective process that cells use to consume part of themselves when nutrients are scarce.
Researchers have developed a new method for detecting brain tumours during surgery using a fluorescent compound, which significantly improves complete tumour removal rates (65% vs 36%) and survival rates without tumour progression (41% vs 21%). The technique has been shown to be safe with no significant difference in serious side effects.
In Mississippi, physicians fought back against malpractice insurance crisis by educating patients on the benefits of tort reform, leading to a cap on noneconomic damages. In Alameda County Medical Center, advocacy focused on patient education helped pass a local tax measure to address financial crisis and protect services.
The APS lecturer's videos provided a real-time look at immune cell interactions in a mouse lymph node, highlighting how dendritic cells teach T cells to respond to infections. The research focuses on leukocyte recruitment and trafficking, particularly in the lymph nodes.
A study at Oregon Health & Science University found that stroke patients who received electrical stimulation therapy showed significant improvement in hand mobility and strength compared to those receiving rehabilitation alone. The therapy, which induces neural plasticity, helps patients regain lost functions.
Researchers discovered that bone marrow stromal cells can improve brain receptor function in patients with cerebral stroke, showing potential for neural tissue regeneration. The study may provide a 'missing link' needed in understanding receptor function, possibly leading to safe and ethical cell transplantation therapy.
Gliadel Wafer demonstrates long-term survival benefit for patients with high-grade malignant glioma, increasing median survival to 13.9 months from 11.6 months. The treatment also shows a significant reduction in risk of death over the study period, with a 27% lower risk compared to placebo.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School Medicine have created a three-dimensional neural network that can be transplanted to bridge spinal cord lesions. The construct, designed to mimic the longitudinal arrangement of the spinal cord, integrates with host tissue and maintains its geometry after transplantation.
The US healthcare system faces significant challenges, with high costs and a growing number of uninsured individuals. Bush's proposed initiatives are unlikely to address these issues, as electronic records may not significantly reduce health costs and HSAs could exacerbate the problem.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have created a detailed map of the lateral wall of the subventricle zone, suggesting the potential existence of human brain stem cells. The discovery also reveals displaced ependymal cells that may be related to cancer or neurodegenerative diseases.
Pittsburgh researchers found biomarkers in infant blood that can identify possible cases of shaken baby syndrome, a traumatic brain injury often misdiagnosed. The study's findings have significant implications for decreasing morbidity and mortality in infants with SBS.
University of Minnesota researchers identify a new population of cord blood stem cells that can regenerate nerve tissue after stroke. The discovery shows promise for treating neurological disorders such as stroke, which affects nearly 750,000 people in the US each year.
A Yale University study found that mobile phone use by medical personnel reduces error rates in hospital care. The study, which surveyed 4,018 anesthesiologists, found that digital cell phones have a lower risk of electromagnetic interference than analog cell phones.
A year-long study using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) technology has localized a small area in the occipital lobes of the brain responsible for generating visual awareness. This breakthrough discovery clarifies how our brains process visual information and recognize stimuli as visible.
A large-scale observational study found that athletes wearing the Riddell Revolution helmet were 31% less likely to sustain a concussion compared to those wearing traditional helmets. However, proper injury management and recovery time remained unchanged between the two groups.
NeuroRx will be published quarterly by Elsevier and focuses on therapy of neurological disorders, providing a multidisciplinary perspective. Scheduled topics include Neuropsychiatry, Pediatric Neurotherapeutics, and Proteomics, Genomics, Metabolomics.
A Phase I clinical trial is underway to test the safety and potential of using child's own bone marrow stem cells to treat traumatic brain injury. The study aims to establish the safety of the procedure and observe possible therapeutic effects.
A study published in Neurology found that depression and anxiety disorders decreased by over 50% two years after epilepsy surgery. Participants who underwent successful surgery without seizures were more likely to be free from depression and anxiety.
A new spinal surgery technique, developed by UCSF neurosurgeon Christopher Ames, allows for direct access to cervical spinal tumors without neural manipulation. The procedure involves removing and reconstructing portions of the cervical spine to access tumors, providing a minimally invasive option for patients with conditions like neur...
A new study at UNC reveals that retired professional football players have a 37% higher risk of Alzheimer's disease due to concussions. The study found that history of recurrent concussions and sub-concussive contacts may be risk factors for late-life memory impairment, mild cognitive impairment, and early expression of Alzheimer's dis...
Researchers identified two novel mutations in FGFR1 and PDGFRA, implicated in various cancers, suggesting potential for targeted therapies. The study aims to develop small molecules and antibodies to regulate mutated genes, offering new treatments for glioblastoma and other cancers.
A study of 1,234 stroke patients found that heart and neck scans were less commonly used in women than men, despite being crucial for preventing second strokes. Women were 36% less likely to receive an echo-cardiogram and 43% less likely to have carotid artery exams.
Dr. Anthony Marmarou's international team developed consensus guidelines for diagnosing and treating idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephaly (NPH). The new guidelines recommend a combination of diagnostic tests to predict patient responsiveness to shunt surgery, improving treatment outcomes.
A new non-surgical approach combining stent-assisted coil embolization has shown success in treating wide-necked brain aneurysms, improving patient outcomes with minimal recovery time. The procedure has been found to have a high rate of complete closure without compromising the parent vessel.
A study published in The Lancet found that minimally invasive coil treatment is more effective than neurosurgical clipping for ruptured brain aneurysms, resulting in a 24% reduction in mortality and disability. Long-term follow-up data showed that the early survival advantage was maintained up to 7 years.
Research by Yale University scientists reveals GABA's role in regulating neural stem cells. The study suggests that enhancing GABA's function may limit neurogenesis and increase the risk of glioma, a type of brain tumor.
Researchers have discovered a new function of RNA in the human immune system, which could lead to the development of new treatments for cancer and single-gene genetic diseases. The study found that certain types of RNA are more likely to trigger an immune response due to their chemical modifications.
Researchers found that astrocytes can generate seizure activity by releasing the brain chemical glutamate, which hypes up neurons and causes them to fire uncontrollably. This discovery offers new hope for treating epilepsy by targeting overlooked brain cells instead of just reducing brain function.
Researchers discovered that a vascular gene plays a crucial role in the growth of blood vessels in brain cells. Restoring its expression level stimulates new vessel formation and improves clearance of amyloid beta peptide, a toxin associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers accurately predicted fMRI signals in patients while watching a movie, validating its use in human neuroscience research. The findings also highlight the importance of further study to understand the correlation between fMRI and single neuronal activity.
A Phase IIa study found that patients given clazosentan suffered from significantly fewer and less severe cases of cerebral vasospasm compared to placebo. The treatment was also associated with a lower incidence of new cerebral infarcts.
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty treatments offer pain relief for osteoporosis sufferers, with the National Osteoporosis Foundation estimating 44 million Americans over 50 affected. The procedures stabilize fractured bones and prevent movement, providing significant cost savings.
Researchers have discovered that nonlinguistic monkeys have an area comparable to Broca's area, which is responsible for controlling oral and facial actions. This finding suggests that Broca's area may have evolved to control certain aspects of the speech act in humans.
A research team at UCLA and Caltech found that individual neurons can recognize specific images, including faces and letter strings of names. The discovery suggests a consistent code for transforming complex visual representations into long-term memories.
A University of Pittsburgh study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery found that athletes with post-traumatic migraine (PTM) after a concussion experienced increased neurocognitive function impairment. This suggests that clinicians should exercise caution when managing concussed athletes with PTM.
Researchers found that a vaccine targeting TRP-2 improves chemotherapy sensitivity in brain tumors. The study showed significant improvements in patient survival and tumor response rates compared to conventional treatments.